Beloved Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield dies at age 57 after undisclosed health issue
ByLindsey Thorpe, Boston 25 News Staff
ByLindsey Thorpe, Boston 25 News Staff
BOSTON — A beloved former Red Sox pitcher passed away on Sunday.
The Boston Red Sox announced that Tim Wakefield died at the age of 57 after an undisclosed health issue.
“Our hearts are broken with the loss of Tim Wakefield,” the team said. “Wake embodied true goodness; a devoted husband, father, and teammate, beloved broadcaster, and the ultimate community leader. He gave so much to the game and all of Red Sox Nation. Our deepest love and thoughts are with Stacy, Trevor, Brianna, and the Wakefield family.”
Wakefield spent 29 years with the Red Sox organization as a player, special assistant, and broadcaster.
“Tim’s kindness and indomitable spirit were as legendary as his knuckleball,” said Red Sox Principal Owner John Henry. “He not only captivated us on the field but was the rare athlete whose legacy extended beyond the record books to the countless lives he touched with his warmth and genuine spirit. He had a remarkable ability to uplift, inspire, and connect with others in a way that showed us the true definition of greatness. He embodied the very best of what it means to be a member of the Boston Red Sox and his loss is felt deeply by all of us.”
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World Series: Cardinals v Red Sox Game 1 BOSTON - OCTOBER 23: Pitcher Tim Wakefield #49 of the Boston Red Sox throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning during game one of the World Series on October 23, 2004 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) (Al Bello/Getty Images)
World Series: Cardinals v Red Sox Game 1 BOSTON - APRIL 25: Tim Wakefield #49 of the Boston Red Sox tips his cap tot he crowd during the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on April 25, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
World Series: Cardinals v Red Sox Game 1 Boston Red Sox's Tim Wakefield shakes hands with the crowd in celebration after the Red Sox clinched a playoff spot in the American League after defeating the Baltimore Orioles, Thursday, September 25, 2003. (Jim Rogash)
World Series: Cardinals v Red Sox Game 1 Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield throws a knuckle ball against the Texas Rangers Sunday, July 11, 2004. The Rangers beat the Red Sox 6-5 at Fenway Park in Boston Massachusetts on July 11, 2004. (Photo by J Rogash/Getty Images) (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
World Series: Cardinals v Red Sox Game 1 BOSTON - MAY 1: Tim Wakefield #48 of the Boston Red Sox delivers a pitch against the New York Yankees during their game at Fenway Park on May 1, 2006 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox defeated the Yankees 7-3. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
World Series: Cardinals v Red Sox Game 1 BOSTON - OCTOBER 23: Pitcher Tim Wakefield #49 of the Boston Red Sox throws a pitch in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals during game one of the World Series on October 23, 2004 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) (Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
World Series: Cardinals v Red Sox Game 1 BOSTON, MA - MAY 15: Former Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield runs out on to the field before the game against the Seattle Mariners on May 15, 2012 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. Wakefield was honored in a pregame ceremony by the Boston Red Sox. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Elsa/Getty Images)
World Series: Cardinals v Red Sox Game 1 BOSTON, MA - APRIL 13: Former Boston Red Sox players Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the home opener between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays on April 13, 2012 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Elsa/Getty Images)
World Series: Cardinals v Red Sox Game 1 BOSTON - JUNE 27: Josh Beckett #19 (L) and Tim Wakefield #49 of the Boston Red Sox have a laugh before playing the New York Mets on June 27, 2006 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
World Series: Cardinals v Red Sox Game 1 NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 25: Tim Wakefield #49 of the Boston Red Sox against the New York Yankees on September 25, 2011 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) (Nick Laham/Getty Images)
World Series: Cardinals v Red Sox Game 1 BOSTON, MA - APRIL 13: Former Boston Red Sox players Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the home opener between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays on April 13, 2012 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Elsa/Getty Images)
World Series: Cardinals v Red Sox Game 1 BOSTON, MA - JULY 24: Tim Wakefield #49 of the Boston Red Sox throws a knuckleball against the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park on July 24, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
World Series: Cardinals v Red Sox Game 1 FT. MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 28: Tim Wakefield #49 of the Boston Red Sox poses during photo day at the Boston Red Sox Spring Training practice facility on February 28, 2010 in Ft. Myers, Florida. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
World Series: Cardinals v Red Sox Game 1 ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 5: Starting pitcher Tim Wakefield #49 of the Boston Red Sox throws against the Texas Rangers on July 5, 2005 at Ameriquest Field in Arlington in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
World Series: Cardinals v Red Sox Game 1 BOSTON, MA - MAY 15: Former Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield stands in the dugout before the game against the Seattle Mariners on May 15, 2012 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. Wakefield was honored in a pregame ceremony by the Boston Red Sox. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Elsa/Getty Images)
World Series: Cardinals v Red Sox Game 1 BOSTON - OCTOBER 16: Pitcher Tim Wakefield #49 of the Boston Red Sox throws a pitch against the New York Yankees after entering the game in the fourth inning during game three of the American League Championship Series on October 16, 2004 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
World Series: Cardinals v Red Sox Game 1 BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 13: Tim Wakefield #49 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after earning his 200th win after a game with the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on September 13, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield retiring
Obit-Wakefield Baseball FILE - Boston Red Sox's Tim Wakefield tips his cap as he comes off the field in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners in Boston, July 24, 2011. Wakefield, the knuckleballing workhorse of the Red Sox pitching staff who bounced back after giving up a season-ending home run to the Yankees in the 2003 playoffs to help Boston win its curse-busting World Series title the following year, has died. He was 57. The Red Sox announced his death in a statement Sunday, Oct. 1 2023, (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, file) (Michael Dwyer/AP)
Obit-Wakefield Baseball FILE - Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Tim Wakefield leaves the field after working against the Toronto Blue Jays in a Sept. 7, 2011 baseball game in Toronto. Wakefield, the knuckleballing workhorse of the Red Sox pitching staff who bounced back after giving up a season-ending home run to the Yankees in the 2003 playoffs to help Boston win its curse-busting World Series title the following year, has died. He was 57. The Red Sox announced his death in a statement Sunday, Oct. 1 2023, (Darren Calabrese/Canadian Press via AP, file) (Darren Calabrese/AP)
Red Sox say retired pitcher Tim Wakefield has died at 57 Tim Wakefield (Paul Marotta/Getty Images for Pedro Martinez )
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 24: Dave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers embraces former Red Sox players Tim Wakefield and Kevin Millar prior to Game Two of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 24, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Early Thursday, there was a lot of discussion on social media after Wakefield’s former teammate, Curt Schilling, discussed his health on his podcast without the family’s permission.
“It’s a rare occurrence for a two-time World Series Champion’s extraordinary personality to shine even brighter than their illustrious career,” said Red Sox President & CEO Sam Kennedy. “Tim was undeniably an exceptional pitcher, but what truly set him apart was the ease with which he connected with people. He was an extraordinary pitcher, an incredible broadcaster, and someone who exemplified every humanitarian quality in the dictionary. I will miss my friend more than anything and can only aspire to live as genuinely and honorably as he did.”
The team did not specify the health condition the knuckleballer was dealing with.
Our hearts are broken with the loss of Tim Wakefield.
Wake embodied true goodness; a devoted husband, father, and teammate, beloved broadcaster, and the ultimate community leader. He gave so much to the game and all of Red Sox Nation.
Wakefield was a mainstay in Boston’s pitching staff for 17 seasons, helping the Red Sox win World Series titles in 2004 and 2007. The infielder-turned-knuckleballer is the over 120-year-old franchise’s leader in innings pitched (3,006) and ranks third among Boston pitchers in wins (186).
“It’s one thing to be an outstanding athlete; it’s another to be an extraordinary human being. Tim was both,” said Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner. “He was a role model on and off the field, giving endlessly to the Red Sox Foundation and being a force for good for everyone he encountered. I felt fortunate to call him a close friend and along with all of us in Red Sox Nation, I know the world was made better because he was in it.”
He retired in 2011 with exactly 200 career wins. He is survived by his wife, Stacy, and their children, Trevor and Brianna.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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